While Hebei Yuan Xi was plotting, Cao Cao was not idle either.
Cao Cao ordered Cheng Yu to send a large number of spies to collect intelligence from surrounding princes, especially Hebei. The battle with the Yuan family in Hebei is unavoidable. After all, there are no two masters in the sky and no two kings in the earth.
Although Liu Biao in the south lacked the spirit of expansion, he was also actively preparing for war, deploying heavy troops in the three directions of north, east and south. The main purpose is to use offense instead of defense. After all, the current situation is chaotic, and there is always nothing wrong with making more preparations.
Similar to Liu Biao's thoughts, Sun Jian was also comprehensively analyzing the surrounding situation and actively contacting possible allies. Among the surrounding princes, Liu Biao's identifiable enemies were Liu Biao and Cao Cao.
The friends and foes who are not yet clear are Liu Bei and Yuan Xi. Regarding Cao Cao's attitude, Sun Jian's strategy was not to win over him, but also to try not to provoke him. As long as Cao Cao doesn't declare war on himself, that's fine.
Sun Jian was most worried about Liu Biao. Among the surrounding princes, Liu Biao was relatively weak, but his influence was great. Moreover, Sun Jian and Liu Biao have strategic overlapping areas, which means.
Yuzhang is the target that the two of them are keeping an eye on at the same time. Yuzhang has therefore become a point of conflict between the two parties. Sun Jian regards Yuzhang as his primary strategic target and has made a lot of preparations for this. He not only sent a large number of local officials to Yuzhang, but also sent a large number of spies to make preparations for the occupation. Liu Yao and others have nothing to worry about, but they are afraid that if Liu Biao intervenes behind the scenes, it will be troublesome.
Zhou Yu suggested that in order to appease Liu Biao, activities in Yuzhang should be stopped in the near future. In order to avoid irritating Liu Biao and ease the relationship with Sun Jian. Sun Jian adopted Zhou Yu's suggestion.
After Cao Cao learned of the current situation, he also sent envoys to Jiangdong. The envoy brought Cao Cao's personal letter and the canonization edict from the Han court, conferring on Sun Jian the title of Marquis of Wu and the post of Sikong.
It can be said that Sun Jian is on an equal footing with Cao Cao. In order to stabilize the rear, Cao Cao also spent a lot of money.
Xun You, a close confidant of Cao Cao, believed that Sun Jian was a fierce tiger. Tigers cannot be tamed, they can only be induced.
Dong Zhao's idea was that more active measures should be taken to force Sun Jian to side with Cao Cao. A secret agent in Jiangdong reported that Zhang Hong, the special envoy of Yuan Xi from Hebei Province and Yuan Xi's teacher, had arrived in Jiangdong. Yuan Xi's intention of sending heavyweight staff to Jiangdong to win over Sun Jian couldn't be more obvious.
Dong Zhao felt that Zhang Hong's personal trip to Jiangdong would be extremely detrimental to Cao Cao. However, you can also take this opportunity to make a big fuss. If Zhang Hong could be assassinated in Jiangdong, Yuan Xi would be furious and damage the relationship between Jiangdong and Hebei.
Cao Cao was overjoyed when he heard this. It was decided to adopt both Xun You and Dong Zhao's suggestions. While taking the initiative to show goodwill and win over Sun Jian, he also tried to find opportunities to deal with Zhang Hong in Jiangdong!
However, Zhang Hong is Yuan Xi's envoy and Sun Jian's guest. Hebei and Jiangdong will definitely protect his safety with all their strength. Assassinating Zhang Hong is extremely difficult and must be left to the most reliable person. Cao Cao thought about it repeatedly and finally gave this task to Man Chong and assigned it to his dead soldiers!
Just when Yuan Xi was complacent about the soldiers, generals, and beauties brought by Yuan Shu and the abundant harvest from Henan, the Huns entrenched in Xihe suddenly invaded Taiyuan in a large scale.
What's even more terrible is that the Black Mountain bandits in the east also gathered a team of 60,000 to 70,000 people, and descended from the Taihang Mountains to harass Dingxiang and Leping. They attacked the county towns, looted the gentry, carried out plunder, and forcibly harvested the crops in the fields. .
The south gate of Taiyuan County, Pingtao, was guarded by general Sun Li. It can be said that one general is in charge of the gate and it is difficult for the Huns to open it.
After several battles, Gao Rou used the strategy of luring the enemy deep into the city, driving the Huns cavalry into the narrow valley of Daling County, and set them on fire. He won a great victory, killed many Huns, and captured more than 2,000 horses. , and the Korean fierce formation who came back to help killed a Hun general, which greatly dampened the morale of the Hun army.
After this defeat, Huchuquan realized how powerful Gao Rou, Sun Li, and Han Meng were, so he could only order the troops to retreat, and for a while he did not dare to attack Taiyuan again.
As for some of the Huns who had divided their forces and entered Shangdang territory to plunder, after hearing that the main force had suffered heavy losses, they did not dare to fight and retreated hastily because they were afraid of being recruited to take a retreat.
He was followed and killed by General Xia Zhao of Guo Yuan, the governor of Shangdang, and many horses were captured. Thus, the siege of the Xiongnu was lifted.
When the Huns invaded, Gao Rou and others could resist them and easily repelled the invading enemies. But the Black Mountain bandits in the east are not so easy to deal with!
Compared with the Huns cavalry,
The Montenegrin Army is even more difficult to deal with. The Huns were a nomadic people, coming and going like the wind, only plundering but not attacking cities.
But the Black Mountain bandits were different. They relied on the strength of their numbers. When they encountered smaller county towns, they surrounded and attacked them. After entering the city, they burned, killed, and looted, and then retreated after returning with a full load.
Although Wang Ling, who was appointed as the prefect of Dingxiang, could use troops, his troops were limited. When he came from Taiyuan, he only brought 3,000 people with him. Adding 1,000 county soldiers, the initial force was only 4,000.
Since taking charge of Dingxiang in March, Wang Ling has realized that the Black Mountain bandits in the Taihang Mountains are a serious threat. The first thing he did after taking office was to recruit troops. However, Dingxiang is a sparsely populated area. There are only ten county towns in the county, and the total population is less than 100,000. After many months of recruitment, only 2,000 strong people were recruited.
At this moment, Wang Ling only had 6,000 troops in hand. Facing the Black Mountain bandits who were more than ten times his own, he was unable to conquer them. He could only defend Dingxiang County behind closed doors to avoid the fall of the county government.
Zhang Yan led 60,000 Black Mountain troops to sweep around Dingxiang, harvesting tens of thousands of crops, but he still had more to say. He and Gongsun Xu's 7,000 troops approached Dingxiang City.
"Zhang Pingnan... There are only 6,000 defenders in Dingxiang City. Since we have already arrived at the city, we should take advantage of Yuan Xi and Cao Cao's battle and have no time to worry about it. We will besiege the city and try to break through the county government office in one fell swoop. As long as Zhang Pingnan is willing , my men under Gongsun Xu are willing to be the vanguard to attack the city. I believe that the wealth in Dingxiang City must not be comparable to that of the county town! In this way, the general can obtain the food and property in the city, and I can avenge the murder of my father? "
Seeing that Zhang Yan was still hesitant about attacking Dingxiang, Gongsun Xu immediately shouted loudly and tried his best to encourage Zhang Yan to attack Dingxiang. In Gongsun Xu's eyes, there was an enemy he had to kill, and that was Yuan Xi and Yuan Shao. Now that Yuan Shao is dead, his father's debt can only be paid by his son.
But now, Wang Ling has been trapped in Dingxiang City. Gongsun Xu would rather pay any price to take Wang Ling's head and bring chaos to Bingzhou in order to sacrifice his father's spirit in heaven!
After listening to Gongsun Xu's words, Zhang Yan's heart moved and she immediately thought of attacking the city.
Zhang Yan was hesitant before because he was afraid that attacking the county would pay a heavy price, and he would have to divide it with Gongsun later. If too many people died, the gain would outweigh the loss.
But since Gongsun Xu now offered not to give up food, grass and baggage, but only wanted Wang Ling's head, Huan Huan and the state and was willing to be the vanguard to attack, why not do it?
"Ahem..." Zhang Yan coughed and reminded Gongsun, "Now I am no longer a general who has overcome difficulties. I have been conferred the title of General Zhaolie by Duke Cao... not by Duke Cao, but by the emperor." !Yes, General Zhaolie!"
After listening to Zhang Yan's words, Gongsun Xu felt a little disdainful in his heart, thinking that he was just a general with no name, look at how excited you are! When my father was still alive, he recommended me to the Emperor of Han Dynasty as a general in the southern expedition, but what was the use? It’s just an empty title!
"Yes, Zhang Zhaolie...how do you feel about my words?" Gongsun Xu did not dare to be tough when asking for help, so he asked with a smile on his face.
"General Gongsun means that you don't want food, grass and money?" Zhang Yan confirmed again.
Gongsun Xu nodded and said resolutely: "Yes, I don't want a grain of grain or a coin. I just want Wang Ling's head and chaos in Bingzhou! As long as Zhang Zhaolie decides to fight, my men and horses are willing to be the vanguard!"
"Fight!" Zhang Yan was overjoyed and made a decision with one click, "Destroy the city!"
Standing at the top of Dingxiang City, I looked at the Black Mountain Army getting closer and closer. The mountains and plains were covered in darkness, like a colony of ants.
Wang Ling couldn't help but frowned and took a breath of cold air: "Hiss... robbing the county town is not enough. Zhang Yan is preparing to attack the county town!"
In addition to the overwhelming number of Montenegrin soldiers, ten times more powerful than his own, what gave Wang Ling even more headache was that they were also mixed with the army that originally belonged to Gongsun Zan. This was a regular army, and their combat effectiveness was not weak at all. With them, they cooperated with 60,000 to 70,000 Montenegrin bandits. I can't say how long Dingxiang can hold the city after siege!
"Master Taishou, the Black Mountain bandits are so powerful that it will be difficult to defend Dingxiang City. Should we abandon the city and leave? I am willing to escort you to break through!"
Looking at the overwhelming Black Mountain Army outside the city, Ding Sheng, the assistant general who was appointed by Wang Ling as a soldier, advised Tian Yu to leave with a worried look on his face.
Wang Ling glanced at Ding Sheng dissatisfied and reprimanded: "Ding Sheng, if it weren't for the fact that you have followed me for many years, I believe
If you don’t believe me, I’ll kill you now? I was entrusted by Yuan Shijun to serve as the prefect of Dingxiang. How could I flee without fighting? Although there are many Black Mountain bandits, they are just a mob. Even if there are one hundred thousand, what is there to fear? I, Wang Ling, swear to live and die with Dingxiang. Whoever dares to escape lightly again will be executed without mercy! "
"No!" Ding Sheng said with a look of shame on his face, "You deserve to die for your humble position. It's because I'm cowardly. Since the prefect is willing to fight to the death, I, Ding Sheng, will accompany you!"
Wang Ling nodded: "While the Black Mountain bandits have not yet laid siege to the city, send someone to send three letters for help right away!"
"I don't know where to send it? Please let the prefect tell me clearly!" Ding Sheng asked with cupped hands.
"One letter was sent to Jinyang to ask for help from Lord Gaorou, one was sent to Yecheng for the general, and the other was sent to Yanmen. The distance between Dingxiang and Yanmen's Yin Hall is only two hundred miles. If you are willing to send reinforcements, we will arrive at Dingxiang City in about three days!" Wang Ling frowned, pressed his hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist, and ordered calmly.
"No! I will send an envoy out of the city now!" Ding Sheng accepted the order again.
After Ding Sheng turned around, Wang Ling, wearing helmets and armor, climbed to the top of Dingxiang City in person, commanding 6,000 soldiers to guard the four city gates and defend Dingxiang City to the death.
In order to strengthen the defense force, they also sent people to gather the big noble families in the city, explain to them rationally and emotionally, and told them that if the city of Dingxiang was destroyed, not only would their property not be saved, but their lives would also be at risk. If they couldn't keep it, they were encouraged to send their family members and Hakka servants to climb the city wall to assist the officers and soldiers in defending the city.
Under the cover of the nest, are there any eggs left?
Under Wang Ling's instigation, more than 800 Hakkas from the major wealthy families in Dingxiang gathered in a short time. In addition, more than a dozen able-bodied people volunteered to help defend the city, and they carried stones, hammers, etc. to the city for defense. products, and jointly resist the attack of the Black Mountain bandits.
As soon as Wang Ling sent an envoy to ask for help out of the city, the Black Mountain Army surrounded the city, blew their horns, and launched a fierce attack on the top of Dingxiang City.
Wang Ling held a bow and arrow and climbed to the top of the city to kill the enemy himself. He shot and killed the attacking soldiers one after another, which greatly boosted the morale of the soldiers who defended the city. The three armies worked hard and the people worked together to repel the waves of rebels. Attack until dark.
Attacking the city was a mission with heavy casualties. In order to capture Wang Ling alive and open a channel to connect with foreign tribes, Gongsun Xu personally led his troops to attack the city. After a fierce battle all afternoon, his men dumped many corpses under Dingxiang City, and Dingxiang City was destroyed. But it still stands.
Gongsun Fan, who was supervising the battle from behind, saw that Zhang Yan had hidden selfish motives and just encouraged Gongsun Xu's troops to attack the city with all their strength. However, his Montenegrin army did not put in much effort and only waved flags and shouted, which was in vain. In one afternoon, more than one person on his side died, and his Montenegrin Army suffered only 200 casualties. It was obvious that Gongsun Xu was the spearman, and he felt extremely unhappy!
"Ming Jin withdraws the troops!" Gongsun Fan couldn't stand it any longer and ordered the troops to withdraw.
Although Gongsun Xu was unwilling to give in, he didn't know what would happen next, so he could only order the troops to retreat bitterly. Seeing Gongsun's army calling for gold and withdrawing its troops, Zhang Yan also sent an order to blow the trumpet to withdraw his troops. Sixty or seventy thousand men and horses surrounded Dingxiang and set up a camp. The siege was impenetrable.
